System and method for carrying out information-related transactions using web documents embodying transaction enabling applets automatically launched and executed in response to reading URL-encoded symbols pointing thereto

ABSTRACT

A novel transaction-enabling method and system are disclosed, wherein a transaction-enabling Java-Applet is embedded within an HTML-encoded document stored in an HTTP server at predetermined URL. When a code symbol (e.g., magstripe or bar code) encoded with the URL is read using a code symbol reader interfaced with a Java-enabled Internet terminal, the corresponding HTTP document is automatically accessed and displayed at the terminal, and the transaction-enabling Java-Applet initiated for execution so that the customer, consumer or client desiring the transaction can simply and conveniently conduct the information-related transaction over the Internet. The transaction-enabling Internet terminal can be in the form of an Internet kiosk installed in a public location, in the manner as conventional ATMs. By virtue of the present invention, universal transaction machine (UTMs) can be easily deployed for use by the mass population so that they can easily conduct various types of transaction over the Internet.

RELATED CASES

This Application is a Continuation-in-part of: copending applicationSer. No. 08/905,903 entitled "BODY-WEARABLE BAR CODE SYMBOL DRIVENSYSTEM FOR ACCESSING INFORMATION RESOURCES ON THE INTERNET", byinventors C. Harry Knowles and David M. Wilz, Sr., filed Aug. 4, 1997;copending application Ser. No. 08/869,164 filed Jun. 4, 1997; copendingapplication Ser. No. 08/846,219 entitled "Programmed Bar Code SymbolReader For Accessing Internet-based Information Resources By ScanningJava-Applet Encoded Bar Code Symbols", filed Apr. 25, 1997; copendingapplication Ser. No. 08/838,501 entitled "Internet-Based System AndMethod For Tracking Objects Bearing URL-Encoded Bar Code Symbols" byDavid M. Wilz, Sr. and C. Harry Knowles, filed Apr. 7, 1997, which is aContinuation-in-Part of copending application Ser. No. 08/820,540entitled "System And Method For Composing And Printing URL-encoded barcode symbol Lists And Menus For Use In Visiting Internet-BasedInformation Resources By Scanning The Same" by Harry Knowles, filed Mar.19, 1997, which is a Continuation-in-part of copending application Ser.No. 08/753,367 filed Nov. 25, 1996; copending application Ser. No.08/645,331 filed Sep. 24, 1996; copending application Ser. No.08/615,054 filed Mar. 12, 1996; copending application Ser. No.08/573,949 filed Dec. 18, 1995; application Ser. No. 08/292,237 filedAug. 17, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,499; application Ser. No.08/365,193 filed Dec. 28, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,093; applicationSer. No. 08/293,493 filed Aug. 19, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,789;application Ser. No. 08/561,479 filed Nov. 20, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No.5,661,292; application Ser. No. 08/278,109 filed Nov. 24, 1995 now U.S.Pat. No. 5,484,992; application Ser. No. 08/489,305 filed Jun. 9, 1995now abandoned; Ser. No. 08/476,069 filed Jun. 7, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No.5,591,953; application Ser. No. 08/584,135 filed Jan. 11, 1996 now U.S.Pat. No. 5,616,908; which is a continuation of copending applicationSer. No. 08/651,951 filed May 21, 1996 which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 08/489,305 filed Jun. 9, 1995 now abandoned whichis a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/821,917 filed Jan. 16,1992, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 07/583,421 filed Sep. 17, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,553, andapplication Ser. No. 07/580,740 filed Sep. 11, 1990, now abandoned. Eachsaid patent application is assigned to and commonly owned by MetrologicInstruments, Inc. of Blackwood, N.J., and is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention is directed to a novel system and method forcarrying out information-related transactions (e.g., electroniccommerce) using Web documents (i.e., Web pages) which embodytransaction-enabling applets that are automatically launched andexecuted in response to reading code symbols embodying Uniform ResourceLocators (URLs) pointing thereto.

2. Background of the Invention

Presently, most information-related transactions, including financialtransactions, product-purchases, service procurement, insurance claimreporting, information-access, and the like, are carried out using thetelephone and information (e.g., personal identification number, etc.)preprinted on a credit-size card which functions as a transaction card.Some financial transactions (e.g., cash deposits and/or withdrawals)require the use of special machines called automated teller machines(ATMs). While developments in telephony and speech technology have madetelephone-based transactions more economical in recent years, there arenevertheless practical restrictions imposed on the types of transactionsthat one can easily carry out over the telephone.

In response to the shortcomings and drawbacks associated withtelephonic-based transactions, many product vendors and serviceproviders have launched Internet sites on the World-Wide Web (i.e.,"Web-sites") to enable their customers to carry out various types oftransactions using an Internet browser program, such as the Navigator®from Netscape Communications, Inc. or the Internet Explorer® fromMicrosoft, Inc. While the development of the HyperText Mark-up Language(HTML) and GUI-based Web browser programs have made accessing Web-sitesrelatively simple, the fact remains that many consumers areuncomfortable using conventional Web browsers, and thus would rathercarry out transactions using the telephone. Consequently, theseconsumers cannot enjoy benefits associated with Internet-basedinformation transactions, while product vendors and service providerscannot enjoy the savings and benefits associated with Internet-basedtransactions.

Thus, there is a great need in the art for an improved system and methodof carrying out information-related transactions (as well as electroniccommerce) over the Internet while avoiding the shortcomings anddrawbacks of prior art systems and methodologies.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providean improved system and method of carrying out information-relatedtransactions (as well as electronic commerce) over the Internet whileavoiding the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art systems andmethodologies.

An further object of the present invention is to provide such a system,in which a Web page embodying an transaction-enabling Applet isautomatically served to the client system in response to reading aDN/PN-encoded (Domain Name and Path Name encoded) or URL-encoded(Uniform Resource Location encoded) symbol (e.g., bar code symbol ormagnetic-stripe) which points to the Web page embodying thetransaction-enabling Applet.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a system,in which each Internet-enabled client computer system is provided with acode symbol reader for reading URL-encoded symbols printed ontransaction cards, and other forms of print media, for automaticallyaccessing a Web page from an Internet information server that embodiesan Applet particularly designed for carrying out a particular type ofinformation-based transaction over the Internet.

A further object of the present invention is to provide suchInternet-Based Transaction-Enabling System, wherein the bar code symbolreader may be a laser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD-type barcode symbol, a Wand-type bar code symbol reader, or a magnetic-stripereader.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an InternetTransaction System in the form of a desktop, laptop or palmtop computersystem that is connected to the Internet by way of an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP), wherein the computer system has a GUI-based web browserprogram and a programmed bar code symbol scanner interfaced therewithfor automatically accessing Web pages embodying transaction-enablingApplets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an InternetTransaction System in the form of a desktop, laptop, palmtop orbody-wearable computer system that is connected to the Internet by wayof an Internet Service Provider (ISP), wherein the computer system has aGUI-based web browser program and a programmed bar code symbol readerinterfaced therewith for automatically accessing transaction-enablingWeb pages located in information servers connected to the Internet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System, in which Java™ Applets are encoded withinthe structure of HTML-encoded documents (i.e., "Web pages") that arestored on an Internet-based information server and are automaticallylaunched to and displayed by a Java-enabled browser receiving the URL ofthe HTML-encoded document by reading a URL-encoded symbol on a creditcard or other transaction-enabling card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a system andmethod, wherein the Internet Client System is automatically connected tothe Internet information resources specified by the scannedApplet-encoded bar code symbol, for local processing and display inaccordance with the transaction-enabling Applet.

These and other Objects of the Present Invention will become apparenthereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of how to practice the Objects of thePresent Invention, the following Detailed Description of theIllustrative Embodiments should be read in conjunction with theaccompanying Drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, in which the Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem hereof is realized in the form of a desktop computer system shownconnected to the Internet by way of an ISP, and having a GUI-based webbrowser program and a bar code symbol scanner for automaticallyaccessing transaction-enabling Web pages containing transaction-enablingApplets, by simply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbols;

FIG. 1A is schematic representation of a single sheet or page of theInternet Transaction Directory of the present invention, showing severalURL-encoded (truncated) bar code symbols printed thereon along withtheir corresponding human-readable URLs and content descriptions;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a bar code-driven Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System according to a first generalized embodimentof the present invention, shown reading a bar code symbol that has beenencoded with (i) the program command that writes the URL into theinformation resource "Goto" window (i.e., "Goto" buffer) of the Internetbrowser program, (ii) the complete URL of an Applet-containing Web pageto be accessed, and (iii) the Internet browser program command thatexecutes a Hyper-Text Transmission Protocol (HTTP) request on the URLentered into the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a bar code-driven Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System according to a second generalized embodimentof the present invention, for automatically (i) reading a bar codesymbol that has been encoded with the complete URL of anApplet-containing Web page to be accessed, and (ii) affixing thereto aprefix code string representative of the program command that writes theURL into the information resource "Goto" window of the Internet browserprogram, and a suffix code string representative of the program commandthat executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of a bar code-driven Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System according to a third generalized embodimentof the present invention, for automatically (i) reading a bar codesymbol that has been encoded with only the Domain Name ((DN) orunderlying IP address) and server Path Name portion of the URL of anApplet-containing Web page to be accessed, (ii) affixing thereto prefixcode strings representative of (1) the program command that writes theURL into the information resource "Goto" window of the Internet browserprogram and (2) the Internet protocol identifier (e.g., "http://"), and(iii) affixing thereto suffix code strings representative of the programcommand that executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the "Goto"Window;

FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram of a bar code-driven Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System according to a fourth generalized embodimentof the present invention for automatically (i) reading a bar code symbolthat has been encoded with the complete URL of an Applet-containing Webpage to be accessed, (ii) writing the URL into the information resource"Goto" window of the Internet browser program, and (iii) executing aHTTP request on the URL entered into the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1F is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-D (linear)URL-encoded bar code symbol of the present invention, containing ASCIIcode elements representative of the complete URL of an Applet-containingWeb page to be accessed (e.g., http://www.panam.com/reservations) aswell the program command (e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URL into theinformation resource "Goto" window of the Internet browser program andthe program command (e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the URLentered into the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1G is a graphical representation of an exemplary 2-D URL-encodedbar code symbol of the PDF417 Symbology, encoded according to theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 1H is a graphical representation of an exemplary "multiple 1-D"URL-encoded bar code symbol structure according to the presentinvention, comprising a pair of discrete 1-D URL-encoded bar codesymbols, wherein the first bar code symbol contains ASCII code elementsrepresentative of the program command (e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URLinto the "Goto" window of the program, the complete URL of anApplet-containing Web page to be accessed, and the Internet browserprogram command (e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the URLentered into the "Goto" window, whereas the second bar code symbolcontains ASCII code elements representative of the Internet browserprogram command (e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the informationresource "Goto" window of the Internet browser program, the Path Nameportion of the URL of the Applet-containing Web page to be accessed, andthe program command (e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the URLentered into the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1I is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-D URL-encodedbar code symbol of the present invention, containing ASCII code elementsrepresentative of the program command (e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URLinto the information resource "Goto" window of the Internet browserprogram, the complete URL of an Applet-containing Web page to beaccessed including the Path Name portion thereof, and the programcommand (e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the entered URL uponthe reading of the bar code symbol;

FIG. 1J is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-D URL-encodedbar code symbol of the present invention, containing ASCII code elementsrepresentative of the Internet browser program command (e.g., CTL(L))that writes the URL into the information resource "Goto" window of theInternet browser program, the complete URL of an Applet-containing Webpage to be accessed including the Domain Name and Path Name portionthereof, and the Internet browser program command (e.g., RTN) thatexecutes a HTTP request on the entered URL upon the reading of the barcode symbol;

FIG. 1K is a graphical representation of the hexadecimal number stringcorresponding to the exemplary 1-D URL-encoded bar code symbol of FIG.1J that is transmitted from the bar code symbol reader to the Internetbrowser program of the Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the second preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, in which the Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem hereof is realized in the form of an interactive Web-basedtelevision system which comprises a Terminal Unit shown connected to theInternet by way of an ISP and has portable Internet Navigation (i.e.,surfing) Device having an IR-link to the Terminal Unit, and a bar codesymbol scanner integrated therewith for automatically accessingApplet-encoded Web pages by simply scanning corresponding URL-encodedbar code symbols printed on various types of media;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the third preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, in which the Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem hereof is realized in the form of a hand-held Scanner Terminalshown connected to the Internet by way of a wireless link to an ISP, andhaving an integrated GUI-based web browser program, display panel,keypad, and programmed bar code symbol scanner for automaticallyaccessing Applet-containing Web pages listed in a transaction guide bysimply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbols printed onthe pages thereof;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the fourth illustrativeembodiment of the present invention in the form of a body-wearable barcode symbol driven Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System having ahand-mounted bar code symbol reader and a forearm mounted remote unitcontaining a microcomputing system for supporting Internet access ofApplet-embedded Web pages by reading URL-encoded symbols;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation showing the body-wearable system ofFIG. 5 being used to access information resources (e.g., audio and videoinformation) from an Internet-enabled database during inspection and/orrepair of a system or plant in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the fifth illustrativeembodiment of the present invention in the form of a kiosk-typeInternet-based Transaction-Enabling System, in which a magnetic stripereader is provided for reading URL-encoded mag-stripe transaction cardsand a 2-D bar code symbol reader is provided for reading URL-encoded barcode symbols for the purpose of automatically launching Web document(s)(from Web Servers) containing transaction-enabling Java-Applets; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart setting forth the steps involved in practicingthe transaction-enabling method of the present invention over theInternet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENTINVENTION

The illustrative embodiments of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the figure drawings wherein like elements andstructures are indicated by like reference numbers.

Overview Of The Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System Hereof

In general, the system and method of the present invention is practicedin connection with a globally-based digital packed-switchedtelecommunications network (known as the Internet). The function of theInternet is to provide an infrastructure that supports wired andwireless digital telecommunications throughout the world using the wellknown TCP/IP networking protocols. In general, the Internetinfrastructure comprises Internet Service Providers (ISPs), NetworkService Providers (NSPs), routers, telecommunication lines and channels.etc., all well known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1, many Internet Web-site Servers (i.e.,information-serving computer systems) 2 physically located throughoutthe world are connected to the Internet 1 by way of the Internetinfrastructure (i.e., ISPs and NSPs). As the name implies, the functionof an Internet Server 2 is to serve information resources to Internetusers when requested to do so by a client computer system. The locationof each and every information resource on an information serverconnected to the Internet infrastructure is specified by a UniformResource Locator (URL), the syntax of which is well known in the art.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, anHTML-encoded document (i.e., Web page) and a transaction-enablingJava™-Applet are created. The Java-Applet is designed to enable aparticular transaction to be carried out using one of the Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling Systems of the present invention. Then theJava-Applet is then embedded within the HTML-encoded document andthereafter, the information file associated with Applet-embedded HTMLdocument is stored in an HTTP server (i.e., Web server) along with thecompiled code associated with the Java-Applet. The location of thetransaction-enabling HTML document (i.e., Web page) is determined by theURL which specifies the location of information file in the HTML serverHereinafter, any client computer system providing access to such Webpages by scanning one or more URL-encoded symbols shall be referred toas an "Transaction-Enabling System", "Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System" or "Internet Transaction-EnablingTerminal", generally indicated by reference number 3 in the figuredrawings.

In general, each Internet Information Server 2 and client system 3 maybe connected to the Internet infrastructure by way of an ISP 4 (or NSP)using physical communication media or a wireless (RF-based) digitalcommunication link 5 well known in the art. Notably, while eachillustrative embodiment of the Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem hereof is realized in the form of a Client System operablyconnected to the infrastructure of the Internet by way of an ISP, it isunderstood that the Internet connection may be achieved through an NSPor other access point in the Internet infrastructure.

In the illustrative embodiments, each Internet Web-site Server 2 isrealized as a computer system running conventional Web-site serversoftware (e.g., WebStars from StarNine, Inc., FASTRAK™ Server fromNetscape Communications, Inc, or Microsoft® Internet Information Serverfrom Microsoft Corporation) and is interfaced with an ISP in aconventional manner. Each Internet Web-site Server is assigned a uniqueTCP/IP address (and Domain Name) on the Internet, and is provided withInternet networking software to support the TCP/IP protocol. Inaddition, each Internet Web-site server is provided with one or moreapplication software programs for creating and maintaining hypermediadocuments containing text, graphics and audio information within aninformation file structure expressed in HTML. Each HTML document on theWWW is physically served from an HTTP Server 2, at a location specifiedby its URL.

In general, there are several different ways of accessingtransaction-enabling Web documents on the Internet by scanningURL-encoded or DN-encoded code symbols in accordance with the presentinvention. Four generalized methods of accessing information resourceson the Internet using URL-encoded bar code symbols are illustrated inFIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E. Each of these generalized methods can becarried out within the particular illustrative embodiments of theInternet-based Transaction-Enabling System shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and6 to be described in great detail hereinafter.

First Generalized Method Of Web Page Access On The Internet UsingURL-Encoded Code Symbols

In FIG. 1B, a first generalized method of accessing Web pages on theInternet using URL-encoded bar code symbols is illustrated. As shown,this access method can be carried out using an Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System 3 comprising two primary subsystemcomponents, namely: (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2)an Internet Terminal 3B. The primary function of the programmed bar codesymbol reader 3A is to read a bar code symbol that has been encoded with(i) the Internet browser program command that writes the URL into theinformation resource ""Goto"" window (i.e., "Goto" buffer) of theInternet browser program, (ii) the complete URL of an HTML document tobe accessed, and (iii) the Internet browser program command thatexecutes a Hyper-Text Transmission Protocol (HTTP) request on the URLentered into the "Goto" window. The function of the Internet Terminal 3Bis to: (1) provide an interconnection to the Internet infrastructure byway of ISP 4 (or NSP) using communication media or link 5; and (2) carryout the client-side of the Internet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.)required to access and display the particular transaction-enabling HTMLdocument (i.e., Web page document) specified by the URL encoded withinthe bar code symbol.

In general, programmed bar code symbol reader 3A comprises a number ofsubsystem components, namely: an optical scanning device and scan dataprocessor means 3A1 (e.g., bar code laser scanner, CCD-based bar codescanner, etc.); programmable decoder module 3A2 (e.g., programmedmicroprocessor with control and decoding algorithms); and datatransmission module 3A3. The function of the optical scanning device andscan data processor means 3A1 is to optically scan bar code symbols, andproduce words of digital scan data (representative of the length of thebars and spaces of the code symbol) for use in subsequent decodeprocessing. The function of the programmable decoder module 3A2 is toprocess these words of digital scan data and produce ASCII-based symbolcharacter data representative of the decoded bar code symbol. Thefunction of data transmission circuitry 3A3 is to transmit the ASCIIformatted data from decoder module 3A2 to Internet Terminal 3B for usein accessing and displaying the particular transaction-enabling Web pagespecified by the URL encoded within the decoded bar code symbol.

In FIG. 1B, the Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System of the firstgeneralized embodiment is shown reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this generalized embodiment, the URL-encoded bar codesymbol contains ASCII code elements that are representative of followinginformation items: (1) the Internet browser program command (e.g.,CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the information resource "Goto" windowof the Internet browser program; (2) the complete URL of the Web page tobe accessed (e.g., http://www.metrologic.com); and (3) the Internetbrowser program command (e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on theURL entered into the "Goto" window. It is understood, however, suchinformation may be encoded into a 2-D bar code symbol as shown in FIG.1G, or alternatively into two or more 1-D URL-encoded bar code symbols,as shown in FIG. 1H.

In FIG. 1H, a pair of bar code symbols are used to encoded theinformation contained in the bar URL-encoded bar code of FIG. 1F. Insuch an embodiment, the first bar code symbol contains ASCII codeelements representative of: (1) the Internet browser program command(e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the information resource "Goto"window of the Internet browser program; (2) the complete URL of atransaction-enabling HTML document to be accessed (e.g.,http://www.metrologic.com/info/trans.html); and (3) the Internet browserprogram command (e.g., RTN) that executes a HTTP request on the URLentered into the "Goto" window. The second bar code symbol containsASCII code elements representative of: (1) the Internet browser programcommand (e.g., CTL(L)) that writes the URL into the information resource"Goto" window of the Internet browser program; (2) the Path Name portionof the URL of the Web page to be accessed (e.g., /Products/ms6720.html);and (3) the Internet browser program command (e.g., RTN) that executes aHTTP request on the URL entered into the "Goto" window. In either of theabove illustrative embodiments, it will be common for URL-encoded barcode symbols to include a Path Name portion thereof (e.g.,/Mfg/bocaraton), as illustrated in FIG. 1I, which may be of substantialcharacter length in many instances.

These alternative coding techniques can be advantageous where thecharacter length of the URL becomes significantly large, as in the casewhere the Web page to be accessed is located deep within a number ofsubdirectories or subfolders of an information server, or within aback-end database connected to the information server by way of a CGI orlike mechanism.

At this juncture, a brief discussion about information formats and barcode symbologies is in order. In general, the information that must beencoded into the structure of a bar code symbol in accordance with thepresent invention is expressible in the ASCII data format. This fact isbased on the nature of the characters used in URL specification, browserdesign and keyboard construction. Thus, any bar code symbology capableof representing the characters in the ASCII character set can be used topractice the information encoding technique of the present invention. Inthe preferred embodiment, any one of the following bar code symbologiescan be used for URL-encoding: Code 128; full ASCII character set of Code39; and Code 93. While an ASCII formatted character string has beenencoded within the bar code symbol of FIG. 1J, the information stringactually transmitted from bar code symbol reader 3A to the Internetbrowser program (of the Internet Terminal 3B) will be typicallyexpressed in the hexadecimal number format shown in FIG. 1K. It isunderstood, however, that the format of the transmitted informationstring may differ from embodiment to embodiment of the presentinvention.

Second Generalized Method Of Web Page Access On The Internet UsingURL-Encoded Code Symbols

In FIG. 1C, a second generalized method of accessing Web page(s) on theInternet using URL-encoded bar code symbols is illustrated. As shown,this access method can be carried out using an Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System 3 comprising two primary subsystemcomponents, namely: (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A'; and (2)Internet Terminal 3B. The function of the programmed bar code symbolreader 3A' is to: (i) read a bar code symbol that has been encoded withthe complete URL of a transaction-enabling Web page to be accessed; and(ii) affix thereto a prefix code string (i.e., CTR(L)) representative ofthe Internet browser program command that writes the URL into theinformation resource "Goto" window of the Internet browser program, anda suffix code string (i.e., RTN) representative of the Internet browserprogram command that executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the"Goto" window. The function of the Internet Terminal 3B is to: (1)provide an interconnection to the Internet infrastructure by way of ISP4 (or NSP) using communication media or link 5; and (2) carry out theclient-side of the Internet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) required toaccess and display the particular transaction-enabling Web pagespecified by the URL encoded within the canned bar code symbol.

In general, programmed bar code symbol reader 3A' comprises a number ofsubsystem components, namely: optical scanning device and scan dataprocessor 3A1 (e.g., bar code laser scanner, CCD-based bar code scanner,etc.); programmable decoder module 3A2 (e.g., programmed microprocessorwith control and decoding algorithms); data transmission circuitry 3A3;an ASCII code generation module 3A4; and a code string synthesizermodule 3A5. The function of the optical scanning device and scan dataprocessor 3A1 is to scan bar code symbols, and produce words of digitalscan data (representative of the length of the bars and spaces of thecode symbol) for subsequent decode processing. The function of theprogrammable decoder module 3A2 is to process such words of digital scandata and produce ASCII-based symbol character data representative of thedecoded bar code symbol. The function of the ASCII code generationmodule 3A3 is to generate (1) an ASCII-based prefix code string (i.e.,CTR(L)) representative of the Internet browser program command thatwrites the URL into the information resource "Goto" window of theInternet browser program, and (2) a suffix code string (i.e., RTN)representative of the Internet browser program command that executes aHTTP request on the URL entered into the "Goto" window. The function ofthe code string synthesizer module 3A5 is to synthesize the prefix andsuffix code strings produced from ASCII code generator 3A4, with the URLcharacter string from programmable decoder module 3A2, in order to forma complete code string for transmission to the Internet browser programby way of data transmission circuitry 3A3. The function of datatransmission circuitry 3A3 is to transmit ASCII formatted data from thecode string synthesizer module 3A5 to Internet Terminal 3B for use inaccessing and displaying the particular transaction-enabling Web pagespecified by the URL encoded within the decoded bar code symbol.

In FIG. 1C, the Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System of the secondgeneralized embodiment is shown reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this generalized embodiment, the URL-encoded bar codesymbol contains ASCII code elements representative of the complete URLof a transaction-enabling Web page to be accessed from the Internet. Itis understood, however, that the information encoded within the 1-D barcode symbol structure of FIG. 1C can be encoded into a 2-D bar codesymbol structure or a pair of 1-D bar code symbols as describedhereinabove.

Third Generalized Method Of Web Page Access On The Internet UsingURL-Encoded Code Symbols

In FIG. 1D, a third generalized method of accessing information on theInternet using URL-encoded bar code symbols is illustrated. As shown,this access method can be carried out using an Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System 3 comprising two primary subsystemcomponents, namely: (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2)an Internet Terminal 3B. The function of the programmed bar code symbolreader 3A is to: (i) read a bar code symbol that has been encoded withthe complete URL of a transaction-enabling HTML document to be accessed;(ii) affix thereto prefix code strings representative of (1) theInternet browser program command that writes the URL into theinformation resource "Goto" window of the Internet browser program and(2) the Internet protocol identifier (e.g., "http://"); and (iii) affixthereto a suffix code string representative of the Internet browserprogram command that executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the"Goto" Window. The function of the Internet Terminal 3B is to: (1)provide an interconnection to the Internet infrastructure by way of ISP4 (or NSP) using communication media or link 5; and (2) carry out theclient-side of the Internet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) required toaccess and display the particular transaction-enabling Web pagespecified by the URL encoded within the bar code symbol.

In general, programmed bar code symbol reader of this illustrativeembodiment 3A' comprises a number of subsystem components, namely:optical scanning device and scan data processor 3A1 (e.g., bar codelaser scanner, CCD-based bar code scanner, etc.); programmable decodermodule 3A2 (e.g., programmed microprocessor with control and decodingalgorithms); data transmission circuitry 3A3; an ASCII code generationmodule 3A4; and a code string synthesizer module 3A5. The function ofthe optical scanning device and scan data processor 3A1 is to scan barcode symbols, and produce words of digital scan data (representative ofthe length of the bars and spaces of the code symbol) for subsequentdecode processing. The function of the programmable decoder module 3A2is to process these words of digital scan data and produce ASCII-basedsymbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol. Thefunction of the ASCII code generation module 3A4', is to generate: (1)an ASCII-based prefix code string (i.e., CTR(L)) representative of theInternet browser program command that writes the URL into theinformation resource "Goto" window of the Internet browser program; (2)the appropriate Internet protocol identifier (e.g., "http://"); and (3)a suffix code string (i.e., RTN) representative of the Internet browserprogram command that executes a HTTP request on the URL entered into the"Goto" window. The function of code string synthesizer module 3A5 is tosynthesize the URL character code produced by decoder module 3A2, withthe code strings produced by ASCII code generator 3A4, in order to forma complete code string for transmission to the Internet browser programby way of data transmission circuitry 3A3. The function of datatransmission circuitry 3A3 is to transmit ASCII formatted data from thecode string synthesizer module 3A5 to Internet Terminal 3B for use inaccessing and displaying the particular transaction-enabling Web pagespecified by the URL encoded within the decoded bar code symbol.

In FIG. 1D, the Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System of the thirdgeneralized embodiment is shown reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this generalized embodiment, the URL-encoded bar codesymbol contains ASCII code elements representative of the complete URLof a transaction-enabling Web page to be accessed. It is understood,however, that the information encoded within the 1-D bar code symbolstructure of FIG. 1D can be encoded into a 2-D bar code symbol or a pairof bar code symbols as indicated hereinabove.

Fourth Generalized Method Of Information Resource Access On The InternetUsing URL-Encoded Code Symbols

In FIG. 1E, a fourth generalized method of accessing Web pages on theInternet using URL-encoded bar code symbols is illustrated. As shown,this access method can be carried out using an Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System 3 comprising two primary subsystemcomponents, namely: (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2)an Internet Terminal 3B'. The function of programmed bar code symbolreader 3A is to read a bar code symbol that has been encoded with thecomplete URL of a transaction-enabling Web page to be accessed. Thefunction of Internet Terminal 3B' is to: (1) provide an interconnectionto the Internet infrastructure by way of ISP 4 (or NSP) usingcommunication media or link 5; and (2) carry out the client-side of theInternet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) using an Internet browserprogram (e.g., with a plug-in module) which, upon scanning a bar codesymbol, automatically writes the URL thereof into the informationresource "Goto" window of the Internet browser program and executes aHTTP request on the URL entered into the "Goto" Window.

In general, programmed bar code symbol reader of this illustrativeembodiment 3A comprises a number of subsystem components, namely:optical scanning device and scan data processor 3A1 (e.g., bar codelaser scanner, CCD-based bar code scanner, etc.); programmable decodermodule 3A2 (e.g., programmed microprocessor with control and decodingalgorithms); and data transmission module 3A3. The function of theoptical scanning device and scan data processor 3A1 is to optically scanbar code symbols, and produce words of digital scan data (representativeof the length of the bars and spaces of the code symbol) for subsequentdecode processing. The function of the programmable decoder module 3A2is to process these words of digital scan data and produce ASCII-basedsymbol character data representative of the decoded bar code symbol. Thefunction of data transmission circuitry 3A3 is to transmit ASCIIformatted data from programmable decoder module 3A2 to Internet Terminal3B for use in accessing and displaying the particulartransaction-enabling HTML document specified by the URL encoded withinthe decoded bar code symbol.

In FIG. 1E, the Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System of the fourthgeneralized embodiment is shown reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this generalized embodiment, the URL-encoded bar codesymbol contains ASCII code elements representative of the complete URLof a transaction-enabling Web page to be accessed. It is understood,however, that the information encoded within the bar code symbolstructure of FIG. 1E can be encoded into a 2-D bar code symbol or a pairof 1-D bar code symbols as indicated hereinabove.

The generalized embodiments of the Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1C through 1E anddescribed above can be realized in a variety of ways using differenttypes of enabling technology and system configurations tailored to theparticular applications at hand. Three different particular embodimentsof the Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System will now be describedbelow in detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

First Preferred Embodiment Of The Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem Hereof

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first preferred (particular) embodiment ofthe Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System hereof 3 is realized inthe form of a desktop computer system 6. As shown, the desktop computersystem consists of a video monitor 6A, a processor 6B, keyboard 6C,mouse 6C, and Postscript® laser printer 35, and is connected to theInternet by way of an ISP 4. The computer system 6 has a GUI-based webbrowser program and a hand-held, wireless laser scanning bar code symbolreading system 7 which is connected to the communication port of thishost system in a conventional manner. In the preferred embodiment,wireless bar code symbol reading system 7 comprises a hand-supportablelaser scanning bar code symbol reading device 7A and a base unit 7Bwhich receives RF signals transmitted from device 7A upon the successfulreading of each bar code symbol thereby; the base unit 7B produces anacoustical acknowledgement signal in response to each such successfulread. System 7 can be realized by any one of the (i) wireless bar codesymbol reading systems disclosed in copending application Ser. No.08/292,237 filed Aug. 17, 1994, or (ii) tethered bar code symbol readingsystems disclosed in copending application Ser. Nos. 08/476,069 and08/660,643, each said application being incorporated herein byreference.

While the operation of programmed bar code symbol reader 7 will differslightly depending on which generalized Internet Access Method is used,the functions which it carries out will be generally the same, namely:to read a bar code symbol 8 that is encoded with either the URL or DN/PNof a Web-page to be accessed by the Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem; and produce symbol character data representative of the URL orDN/PN character string for use by the Internet browser program of itsassociated Internet Terminal.

As used hereinafter, these special types of encoded bar code symbolsshall be generally referred to as "URL-encoded bar code symbols",regardless of whether the complete URL or only a portion thereof (e.g.,DN or DN/PN) is encoded within the bar code symbol structure. Similarly,mag-stripe structures encoded with a URL or DN/PN character string, asdescribed hereinbelow, shall be generally referred to as "URL-encodedmag-stripes" regardless of whether the complete URL or only a portionthereof (e.g., DN or DN/PN) is encoded within the magnetic stripe symbolstructure. Collectively, these structures shall be referred to as"URL-encoded symbols" regardless of whether the complete URL or only aportion thereof (e.g., DN or DN/PN) is encoded within the symbolstructure.

In the case of where either the first, second or third generalizedInternet access method described above is employed, the InternetTransaction-Enabling Terminal (realized by desktop computer system 6)can provide Internet access support by running any conventionalGUI-based Internet browser program, such as the Navigator® from Netscapeor the Internet Explorer® from Microsoft.

In the case of where the fourth generalized Internet access method ofFIG. 1E is used, conventional browser programs of the type mentionedabove must be provided with a Plug-in Module (e.g., browser subprogram)that can be readily written and installed within the browser program.The function of such a Plug-In Module is to: (i) automatically readscanned-URL information that is stored within an addressed data bufferat the I/O port of the client computer platform 6 (supporting theInternet Terminal); (ii) automatically write the URL information (in anappropriate format) to the data buffer assigned to the "Goto" window 40Aof the Internet browser display screen 40 (shown in FIG. 4); and then(iii) automatically initiate HTTP over the Internet to connect to theassociated Internet Server and access and display thetransaction-enabling Web-page located at the entered URL. In suchembodiments, it is preferred that each Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System has a preloaded Internet browser programprovided with the above-described Plug-In Module, or the functionalitiesprovided thereby. It is understood, however, that in some instances itmay be desirable to distribute or download the browser program andplug-in module to client computer systems from an Internet-basedInformation Server on the WWW using the well known file transmissionprotocol (FTP). In this way, conventional client computer systems can beeasily converted into Internet-based Transaction-Enabling Systemsaccording to the present invention.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the bar code symbolreading system 7 is a laser scanning bar code symbol reader (e.g., aMetrologic Scanner MS951-48 with keyboard wedge) which is connected tothe data-input port of the client computer platform 6. When used to reada URL-encoded bar code symbol, the URL is automatically entered as inputinto the "Goto" window of the Internet browser program, and, by way ofHTTP, the particular transaction-enabling HTML document (ie., Web-page)corresponding to the URL is automatically accessed by the Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System for display on visual display terminal 6A ina manner well known in the art.

As mentioned hereinabove, each URL-encoded bar code symbol of thepresent invention can be either a linear (1-D) or 2-D bar code symbolstructure of virtually any symbology that allows for the encoding of the(ASCII-type) information contained within a URL-type informationstructure, the syntax of which is well known in the art. In thepreferred embodiment, the URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 is realized as atruncated-type bar code symbol constructed using any one of thefollowing bar code symbologies: Code 128; full ASCII character set ofCode 39; and Code 93. While the URL-encoded bar code symbol can be ofany length, practical considerations will typically dictate whichencoding technique should be used in any particular application.Notably, the advantage of using the truncated bar code symbol structureis that the height of the bars and spaces is relatively short inrelation to the length of the bar code, thus allowing the URL-encodedtruncated symbol 8 to be easily printed on transaction cards, or onpages of printed Web-site transaction guides and catalogues, asillustrated in FIG. 1A.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the programmed bar code symbol scanner 7 ofthe Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System of the first preferredembodiment is particularly designed so that closely nested URL-encodedbar code symbols printed on a single page can be read withoutinadvertently reading undesired URL-encoded bar code symbols. This addedscanning control feature is achieved in the bar code symbol reader ofFIG. 1 by providing the automatic laser scanning bar code symbol reader7A with an optically-transparent scanning plate 9A supported from reader7A by an optically transparent extension 9B. The scanning plate 9A hasformed therein a sighting window (i.e., aperture) 10, through which aURL-encoded bar code symbol 8 is automatically scanned and read whensuch a printed symbol (on a substrate) is aligned with the sightingaperture. In this particular embodiment, the IR-based object detectionfield 11 of bar code symbol reader 7A extends just slightly beyond thesighting window 10 so that laser scanning by laser beam 12 isautomatically initiated only when an object (e.g., Web-site guide) 13 isplaced up against the sighting window 10, as when the scanning plate isbrought in contact with URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 associated with aparticular transaction-enabling Web page, shown in FIG. 1A. The designand construction details associated with automatic bar code symbolreader 7A can be found in Applicant's prior U.S. application Ser. No.08/292,237 filed Aug. 17, 1994, incorporated herein by reference. Asshown in FIG. 1, this scanning device can be provided with a keypad 15in a manner known in the art, for manually entering the characters ofURLs, as needed or required.

As discussed above in connection with FIG. 1H, it may be desirable toencode the URL of a particular information resource within two or moremoderate-length bar code symbols, instead of within a single long-lengthbar code symbol. This will allow the use of shorter length bar codesymbols on printed menus and lists. In such applications, the primary(i.e., base) portion of the URL (e.g., "http://www.metrologic.com")identifying the location of the Web Server can be encoded within a firstbar code symbol, whereas the auxiliary (i.e., extension) portion of theURL (e.g., "/products/MS6720.html") indicating the location of theinformation resource (i.e., transaction-enabling Web page) relative tothe identified Web Server can be encoded with a second bar code symbol.With this technique, access to such a transaction-enabling Web page canbe achieved in a two-step process, namely: (1) scan the first bar codesymbol to access the home page of the Web Server located by"http://www.metrologic.com"; and (2) scan the second bar code symbol toaccess the transaction-enabling HTML document located by"Products/MS6720/.html". Preferably, the base (i.e., primary) andauxiliary segments of the URL would be printed below the first andsecond bar code symbols respectively, as shown in FIG. 1H. Thiscomposite bar code symbol structure can be used during the menucomposition process of the present invention as described in detailhereinabove.

Second Preferred Embodiment Of The Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem Hereof

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the second preferred embodiment of theInternet-based Transaction-Enabling System hereof is realized in theform of an interactive Web-based television system 16. Any of thegeneralized Internet access methods described hereinabove can be used tocarry out this particular embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, interactive web-based television system 16 comprises anInternet Terminal Unit 17, a Remote Control Scanning Device 18 and astandard (NTSC or PAL) color television set 19. As shown, the InternetTerminal Unit 17 is connected to the Internet by way of an ISP 4 andincludes means for supporting: (i) a GUI-based Internet browser programsuch as the Internet Navigator® from Netscape Communications or theInternet Explorer® from Microsoft, Inc.; and (ii) the TCP/IP networkingprotocol on the Internet. In the preferred embodiment, the InternetTerminal Unit 17 can be realized using any one of a number ofcommercially available Internet Terminal devices, such as, for example:the Mediamaster 9500™ Internet Terminal from Nokia, Inc.; theNetStation™ Internet Terminal from Acorn Computer; or the "InternetDigital Appliance" from Diba.

As shown in FIG. 2, the Remote Control Scanning Device 18 of the secondpreferred embodiment can be realized by integrating a miniatureautomatic bar code symbol reading module 20 into the wireless remotecontrol device that is provided with the commercially available terminalunit that is used to practice this embodiment of the present invention.Preferably, automatic bar code symbol reading module 20 is similar tothe device described in great detail in Applicant's copendingapplication Ser. No. 08/292,237 supra. Such laser scanning engines, asthey are called, are commercially available from Metrologic Instruments,Inc., of Blackwood, N.J., under the tradename ScanQuest®. The manner inwhich such a laser scanning engine can be integrated into any one of theremote control devices of the above-identified Internet Terminals, andthus provide the Remote Control Scanning Device 18, will be describedbelow.

The Mediamaster 9500™ Internet Terminal from Nokia, Inc., theNetStation™ Internet Terminal from Acorn Computer, or the InternetDigital Appliance from Diba, are each provide with a wireless remotecontrol device which includes a programmable microcontroller (i.e.,microprocessor) operably connected to a system bus of one sort oranother. The system subcomponents that are connected to this system busstructure include, for example: program memory realized in the form ofEPROM 21; data storage memory realized in the form of RAM 22; a keypad23, data storage registers and interface circuitry; an IR-basedcommunication circuit and interface circuitry 24; and a power supply andpower distribution circuitry 25. In such commercial products, no visualdisplay device (e.g., LCD panel) is provided, as all display functionsare provided on the television screen using an on-screen display formatwell known in the art. Integration of an automatic ScanQuest® LaserScanning Module (Model No. IS4120) into the system architecture of suchwireless remote control devices can be achieved by adding additionaldata registers to the system bus, and connecting the data output port ofthe scanner to such registers in a conventional manner. Additionalcontrol logic will have to be provided by the microcontroller in toprovide scan data from the scanner to have priority over data enteredmanually into the system. All such modifications are within the ordinaryskill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 2, Remote Control Scanning Device 18 has anoptically-transparent scanning plate 9A supported by an opticallytransparent extension 9B. The scanning p late 9A has formed therein asighting window (i.e., aperture) 10, through which a URL-encoded barcode symbol 8 is automatically scanned and read when such a printedsymbol (on a substrate) is aligned with the sighting aperture. TheIR-based object detection field 11 extends just slightly beyond thesighting window 10 so that the laser scanning beam 12 is automaticallyinitiated only when an object (e.g., transaction cord or guide) 13 isplaced up against the sighting window 10, as when the scanning plate 10is brought in contact with URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 associated witha particular transaction enabling Web-page, shown in FIG. 2. Duringoperation, the Remote Control Scanning Device 18 is used to readURL-encoded bar code symbols 8 printed on Internet Transaction Guide 13in order to connect to the corresponding transaction-enabling Web pages.

While any standard (NTSC or PAL) color television set can be used inconnection with the Internet Terminal 17 to display graphical and audioinformation content associated with any particular Web-site accessed bythe system, it is preferred that a higher-resolution (VGA or SVGA)computer monitor is used in connection therewith to display highresolution graphics.

Third Preferred Embodiment Of The Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem Hereof

As shown in FIG. 3, the third preferred embodiment of the Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System hereof is realized in the form of ahand-held Integrated scanning Terminal 26. Any of the generalizedInternet access methods described herein can be used to carry out thisparticular embodiment of the present invention. The Internet ScannerTerminal 26 is shown connected to an ISP 4 by way of a radio-basestation 27 and wireless link 5. The hand-held Internet Scanning Terminal26 has an integrated GUI-based web browser program, display panel 28,touch-screen type keypad 29, and programmed bar code symbol scanner 20.The function of bar code symbol scanner 20 is to read a bar code symbol8 that is encoded with the URL of a transaction enabling Web page to beaccessed by the Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System, and producesymbol character data representative thereof.

In the illustrative embodiment, the Internet Scanner Terminal 26 isrealized as a transportable computer, such as the Newton® Model 130Messagepad 30 from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. This deviceis provided with NetHopper™ brand Internet Access Software from whichsupports the TCP/IP networking protocol within the Newton MessagePadoperating system. The Newton Messagepad is also equipped with a MotorolaPCMICA-based modem card 31 having a RF transceiver for establishing awireless digital communication link with either (i) a cellular basestation, or (ii) one or more satellite-base stations (27) connected tothe Internet by way of an ISP 4 in a manner well known in the globalinformation networking art. While it is understood that, in someinstances, it may be desired to connect a pen or wand device to theserial port of the Newton MessagePad to provide bar code symbol readingcapabilities thereto, it is generally preferred that automatic laserscanning engine 20 (e.g., Metrologic ScanQuest® Laser Scanning ModuleModel No. IS4120), be interfaced with the serial communications port ofthe Newton MessagePad so as to realize the Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System of the third preferred embodiment hereof.

As shown in FIG. 3, the entire Newton MessagePad, ScanQuest® LaserScanning Module 20 and auxiliary battery supply (not shown) arecompletely housed within a rubberized shock-proof housing 32, in orderto provide a hand-supportable unitary device. Once the object (e.g.,transaction card) 13 is detected by the object detection field 11, alaser beam 12 is automatically projected and swept across theURL-encoded symbol 13 thereon.

Optionally, in each of the three particular embodiments of theInternet-based Transaction-Enabling System described above, the bar codesymbol scanner can be replaced by a programmed optical character readerrealized using, for example, the automatic holographic laser scanningtechnology disclosed in great detail in Applicant's copendingapplication Ser. No. 08/573,949 filed Dec. 18, 1995, incorporated hereinby reference. The function of the programmed optical character reader isto allow the Internet Access Terminal to access any transaction-enablingWeb page by optically scanning the alphanumeric character stringcomprising the URL thereof, and provide the same as output to the "Goto"Window of the GUI-based Internet browser program thereof. In suchalternative embodiments, the function of the optical character reader(i.e., character reading module) is to read the ASCII characterscomprising the URL (and other encoded information) 14 printed on anobject (e.g., transaction card, keychain, pen, pencil, bookmarker,guide, etc.) avoiding the need for manual key entry operations.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment Of The Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem Hereof

In the above-illustrative embodiments, the bar code symbol readingdevice has been either supported within the hand of the operator, upon acountertop surface or the like. It is contemplated, however, that thebar code symbol reader and other client-side components of theInternet-based Transaction-Enabling System hereof can be worn on thebody of its operator as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the body-wearable Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System of the present invention comprises: a barcode symbol scanning unit 70 designed to be worn on the back of thehand; and a remote unit 72 (i.e., body-wearable RF-based Internet accessterminal) designed to be worn about the forearm or foreleg of theoperator by fastening thereto using flexible straps or like fasteningtechnology.

In the illustrative embodiment, hand-mounted scanning unit 70 comprises:a light transmission window 71 for exit and entry of light used to scanbar code symbols; a glove 70A worn by the operator for releasablymounting housing 70 to the back of his or her hand; and a laser scanningbar code symbol reader 20, as described hereinabove with respect to theother illustrative embodiments of the present invention. In otherembodiments, other optical scanning devices may be used in lieu of unit20 provided the depth of scanning provided thereto is satisfactory forthe intended application.

In the illustrative embodiment, the remote unit 72 comprises: an LCDtouch-screen type panel 73; an audio-speaker 74; a RISC-basedmicrocomputing system or platform 75A for supporting various computingfunctions including, for example, TCP/IP, HTTP, and other Internetprotocols (e.g., E-mail, FTP, etc.) associated with the use of anInternet browser or communicator program (e.g., Netscape Navigator orCommunicator, or MicroSoft Explorer programs) provided by the remoteunit; a telecommunication modem 75B interfaced with the microcomputingsystem; an RF transceiver 75C (e.g., employing DFSK or spread-spectrummodulation techniques) also interfaced with the telecommunication modemfor supporting a 2-way telecommunication protocol (e.g., PPP) known inthe art, between the microcomputing system and a remote transceiver 7B(described hereinabove) which is interfaced with ISP 4 connected to theInternet; a (rechargeable) battery power supply 75D aboard the remotehousing, for providing electrical power to the components therein aswell as to the bar code symbol reader 20; and a flexible cable 76, forsupporting communication between the bar code symbol reader 20 and themicrocomputing platform, and electrical power transfer from the powersupply to the bar code symbol reader. Notably, the remote unit 72 willembody one of the Internet access methods described hereinabove. Themethod used by remote unit 72 (i.e., Internet access terminal) willdepend on the information that is encoded within the URL-Encoded barcode symbol scanned by the bar code symbol reader thereof 20.

Optionally, a laser scanning bar code symbol scanner (without adigitizer or decoder) 20' can be contained within hand-mounted unit 70,and the necessary digitizing and scan-data processing can be carried outby the microcomputing system within the remote unit 72 using techniqueswell known in the art, or using special-purpose ASIC-type devicescontained within remote unit 72 also well known in the art. Suchconstruction techniques will allow the bar code scanning unit to beminiaturized small enough to be worn on the operator's finger, in amanner well known in the art. Preferably, activation of the bar codesymbol scanning/reading unit is automatically controlled as taught inApplicant's prior U.S. Applications, incorporated herein by reference,but may where suitable be manually activated using a trigger switch orlike device mounted on hand-supported unit 70 or elsewhere within theconfiguration of the system.

Preferably, the remote unit 72 is worn on the forearm of the operator sothat the touch-type LCD panel 73 integrated therewith can be easilyviewed during use of the body-wearable system of the present invention.Thus, when an URL-encoded bar code symbol is read by the hand-mounted(or finger-mounted) bar code symbol reader 20, the transaction-enablingWeb page associated with the scanned bar code symbol and displayed onthe LCD panel can be easily viewed and interacted with by the operator.Also, in response to reading an URL-encoded bar code symbol (i.e.,transaction enabled thereby), the operator may be required to manuallyenter information to the Web page being displayed, using thetouch-screen display panel 73 and pen-computing software, well known inthe art.

In alternative embodiment of the present invention, a large-vocabularyspeech recognition subsystem may be integrated within the remote housing42 so that the user can enter information to the Internet browser byspeaking rather than through manual keystroke, or pen computingtechniques well known in the art and supported by the microcomputingplatform contained within the remote housing.

In some applications, it may also be desirable to mount the bar codesymbol reader 20 on the finger or head of the operator and/or mount theremote housing 72 on a different portion of the operator's body (e.g.,leg or waist). It may also be desirable to integrated all of thecomponents of the system into a single housing worn on a specificportion of the operator's body.

In some applications, it may be desirable to provide a lightweightheadset having a miniature LCD display screen 77, a microphone 78, andearphones 79, while providing the remote unit 72 with audio and videoinput/output ports 80 for supplying audio input to the microcomputingplatform (within the remote unit) and audio and video output therefromfor driving the headset worn by the operator during in-field use of thesystem, using a flexible communication cable 81, as shown in FIGS. 4 and5. The function of the head-supported microphone 78 would be to providespeech input to the microcomputing system for processing by a speechrecognition subsystem realized thereaboard using commercially availablespeech-recognition software (e.g., from Dragon Systems, Inc. NewtonMass.). The function of the head-mounted video-panel 77 would be toprovide a convenient way of displaying HTML-encoded information pagesaccessed from the Internet in response to reading URL-encoded bar codesymbols using bar coded symbol reader 20. The function of the earphones79 would be to provide a convenient way of supplying audio informationencoded within HTML-encoded information pages accessed from the Internetin response to reading URL-encoded bar code symbols using bar codedsymbol reader 20. Such auxiliary devices 77, 78 and 79, interfaced withthe forearm-supported Internet-terminal 72, will provide the operatorwith additional freedom to carry out his or her operations.

Fifth Preferred Embodiment Of The Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystem Hereof

In FIG. 6, a fifth illustrative embodiment of the Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System hereof is illustrated. As shown, this systemis realized in the form of an Internet-based kiosk 82 comprising: anhousing 83 for installation in a public location (e.g., retail store,shopping center or mall, bus terminal, airport, hotel lobby, restaurant,beach pavilion, sportscenter, or the like) 84; a thin-client computingplatform (e.g., thin-client network computer from Sun Microsystems,Inc.) 85 in the housing 83 and running a Java-enabled Internet browserprogram (eg., HotJava™ browser program, or Netscape 3.0 browserprogram); a touch-screen type color LCD panel 86 for displaying Webpages and manually entering information to the browser program by way oftouch screen operations; audio-speakers 87 for producing audio outputfrom the Java-enabled browser program; a magnetic stripe card scanner 88(e.g., Mag-Tek® magnetic stripe reader from Magtek, of Carson, Calif.)mounted external to the housing and a mag-stripe decoder 89 (e.g., theOMNILINK® Decoder from Symbol Technologies, or programmedmicroprocessor) mounted within the housing and interfaced with the datainput port of the computing platform; and a 2-D bar code symbol reader90 interfaced with the data input port of the computing platform.

The function of the magnetic stripe reader 89 is to read URL-encodedmagnetic strips (i.e., "mag-stripes") 91 formed on credit cards andother types of transaction cards 92, as shown in FIG. 6A. In thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, the URL or DN/PNcharacter string of a particular transaction-enabling HTML-encodeddocument (i.e., Web page) is encoded along the "first" (alphanumeric)data track of a ANSI/ISO standard mag-stripe shown in FIG. 6A, using theANSI/ISO ALPHA Data Format standard well known in the mag-stripe art. Atthe bit level, actual data encoding will be carried out using thehexadecimal code well known in the art, and thus the ANSI/ISO ALPHA DataFormat will be expressed in terms of the hexadecimal code and thereforecan be interpreted in straightforward manner during decoding operations.Notably, while the ANSI/ISO ALPHA Data Format is preferred because itenables the encoding of the alphanumeric characters comprising virtuallyall URLs, or the DN/PN subcomponents thereof, it is understood thatother suitable encoding/decoding schemes can be used without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Optionally, other types of information can be encoded within thetransaction-enabling mag-stripe card of the present invention so as tocarry out transaction-access authorization, and other security functionsknown in the art (e.g., expiration date control, etc.). For example,expiration-data control can be carried out by encoding certain bitsalong a particular data track of the mag-stripe to represent theexpiration date of the transaction-enabling card. Restricted-usercontrol can be carried out by (1) encoding certain bits along aparticular data track of the mag-stripe to encode a personalidentification code for access by the HTTP server hosting thetransaction-enabling HTML document, and (2) requiring the user tomanually enter a preassigned access code when the transaction "home" Webpage is displayed, thereby completing the security protocol establishedby the transaction service provider. Notably, such security techniquescan be carried out using URL-encoded (1-D and 2-D) bar code symbols in amanner similar to that described hereinabove.

In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the mag-stripedecoder 89 (e.g., an OMNILINK® Decoder) is programmed to decode theANSI/ISO ALPHA Data Format. Also, in those applications where aconventional Web browser program is to be used (without a plug-in modulefor handling input URL strings provided from code symbol readers), itwill be necessary to program the mag-stripe decoder 89 to automaticallyinsert prefix program command RTN) into the character data output stringproduced by the programmed decoder, as disclosed in detail hereinabove.The output from the programmed decoder 89 can be directly provided tothe data input port (e.g., RS232) of the thin-client computer system 85.Alternatively, where a keyboard is used instead of touch-screen displaypanel 86, the output from the programmed decoder 89 can be first encodedinto the keyboard data format and then provided to the computer systemthrough its keyboard data input port.

With this system configuration, the URL of a transaction-enabling Webpage is encoded along the first (alphanumeric) data track of an ANSI/ISOmag-stripe card 92, and the transaction-enabling Web page is embeddedwith a Java-Applet designed to enable a particular type ofinformation-related transaction over the Internet (e.g., financialtransactions, ticket purchases, information purchases, productpurchases, service procurements, securities trading, etc.). Then whenthe URL-encoded mag-stripe is read by the mag-stripe reader 88 of theInternet-enabled kiosk 82, the transaction-enabling Web page located atthe decoded URL is automatically served to the requesting Web browserand displayed on the LCD panel 86. In one embodiment, a graphical iconwould be displayed on the Web page indicating that the customer orconsumer press or touch the displayed icon to automatically launch theunderlying Java-Applet to initiate the solicited transaction. In aconventional manner, the customer would simply follow the displayscreens and instruction provided thereby which will be specified inaccordance with the Java-Applet embedded within the launched Web page(i.e., HTML-encoded document). The type of transaction supported overthe Web browser is dependent only on upon the needs and desires of thetransaction service provider. While common types of transactions whichcan be enabled using the method and system of the present invention willtypically relate to subjects such as finance, account management,product purchase; service procurement, ticket purchase, informationacquisition, it is understood that a multitude of other subject areas,hitherto unthought of, will benefit from the present invention.

Modifications To The Illustrative Embodiments Of The Internet-BasedTransaction-Enabling Systems Of The Present Invention

Instead of using a laser scanning module to construct the InternetAccess Terminals of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and6, one may use CCD-type bar code scanning engines (or modules) employingLEDs to illuminate bar code symbols in the scan field, and CCD-typelinear or array devices for capturing images thereof for subsequentdecode processing. Examples of CCD scanning modules that can be used toconstruct CCD-based Internet Access Terminals according to the presentinvention can be found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,550,366;5,354,977; 5,291,009; 5,484,994; 5,349,172; and 5,532,467; each beingincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As mentioned above, the present invention contemplates using encodingURL (or DN/PN) information within 2-D bar code symbols as schematicallyillustrated in FIG. 1F. In such instances, one would provide a 2-D barcode symbol reading engine (or device) within each Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System of the present invention so that to the URLinformation encoded within 2-D bar code symbols can be optically scannedand decoded using the appropriate 2-D bar code decoding algorithm.Examples of 2-D (laser scanning) bar code symbol reading devices thatcan be used to construct "2-D type" Internet-based Transaction-EnablingSystems according to the principles of the present invention aredisclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,594,232; 5,523,552;5,504,316; 5,414,250; 5,373,148; 5,319,181; each being incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, one may employ scanning modules capable of reading both 1-Dand 2-D type bar code symbols.

Universal Transaction-Enabling Method Of The Present Invention

Having described various illustrative embodiments of the Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling Systems of the present invention, it is nowappropriate to describe how such systems can be used to carry outinformation-related transactions over the Internet using URL-encodedsymbols and Web Pages embedded with transaction-enabling Java-Applets.

In connection therewith, reference shall be made to FIG. 7, wherein theflow chart illustrated therein sets forth the steps involved inpracticing the Transaction-Enabling Methodology hereof over theInternet.

As illustrated at Block A in FIG. 7, the method involves creating a Webdocument (i.e., HTML-encoded document) which shall function as the"Server" for the transaction to be enabled over the Internet. This Webdocument can be created using commercially available HTML-editing and/orWeb-page development tools (e.g., Page Mill 2.0 from Adobe, Inc.) wellknown in the art. Preferably, the Web document will be designed to carryout the marketing objectives of the information-related service that isto be delivered to the customer, consumer or client accessing this Webpage. Optionally, this Web page may also contain hot-links to other Webpages that relate somehow to the information-related transaction to beenabled or service to be provided.

As indicated at Block B of FIG. 7, a transaction-enabling Java™-Appletor set thereof are then created using Java-Applet applicationprogramming interfaces (APIs) and development tools (e.g., JavaScript™authoring tool, Jamba™ software authoring tool, and/or Java Beans™software authoring tool) well known in the programming art. The functionof each transaction-enabling Java-Applet is to enable a particularinformation-related transaction (e.g., financial transaction; ticketpurchase; information purchase; product purchase; service procurement;and the like). Preferably, each transaction-enabling Applet will bedesigned to produce easy to follow information display screens at theclient-side of the system, which can be followed by users having verylittle (if any) computing or Internet-browsing skills. During thetransaction design process, various considerations should be accorded tothe sequential flow of the information display screens, queries andchoices presented therein, decision-loop structures, and the like.

Then, as indicated at Block C in FIG. 7, each transaction-enablingJava-Applet(s) is compiled into bytecode and then embedded within thepreviously created HTML document in the form of a new HTML APPLET. TheApplet element adheres to the following general syntax (note that !identifies optional parameters):

    ______________________________________    <APPLET       CODEBASE = codebaseURL!      CODE - appletFile       ALT = alternateText!       NAME = appletInstanceName!      WIDTH = pixels HEIGHT = pixels       ALIGN = alignment!       VSPACE = pixels!  HSPACE = pixels!       <PARAM NAME = Attribute1 VALUE = value >!       <PARAM NAME = Attribute2 VALUE = value >!      . . .       alternateHTML!      </APPLET>    ______________________________________

The optional <PARAM> tag lets you to specify applet-specific attributesthat your applet can retrieve as Strings. These Strings can be used inan HTML document to customize the Applet's behavior and supply theirrespective values lie command-line variables.

CODEBASE, CODE, WIDTH, and HEIGHT are parameters specified by the firstpart of the APPLET tag. The Java-enabled Web browser uses theseparameters to locate the Applet code on the hosting HTTP server and toreserve space in the HTML document display. CODEBASE directs theJava-enabled Web browser to look for code in the classes directoryassociated with the HTML document's URL. CODE provides the name of theJava code file that is to be loaded from the hosting HTTP server. Anyother class files used by the Applet are loaded from the CodebaseDirectory as well. CODEBASE is an optional parameter; if it is notspecified, the Java-enabled Web browser looks for class files in theHTML document's directory. It is important that the use of upper/lowercase in both the class name and the filename are identical.

WIDTH and HEIGHT are parameters that tell the Java-enabled Web browserto reserve space in the document display before the Java code is loaded("x" pixels wide by "x" pixels high), similar to the way browsers dealwith images, reserving space before the complete image is available. Toplace an invisible Applet on a page, specify height and width of zero.

Current Java-enabled Web browsers ignore the Java language resize()method for applets. Although the applet viewer provided in the JDKresponds to the resize() method, one will have to specify width andheight correctly in the APPLET tag for general Web browsers.

VSPACE and HSPACE are optional parameters for specifying the amount ofspace (in pixels) that surrounds the Applet above and below (vspace) andon each side (hspace) of the Applet area. Notably, the Netscape 2.0browser appears to ignore these parameters.

ALIGN is another optional parameter and is used to designate where theJava-enabled Web browser is to place the Applet area in relation to anyother design elements. ALIGN can have possible values like those for theIMG tag: left, right, top, texttop, middle, absmiddle, baseline, bottom,and absbottom. The Netscape 2.0 browser does not support theseparameters correctly, so try removing the ALIGN parameter if the desiredresults from the transaction enabling Applet are not obtained.

The ALT parameter designates a string to be displayed if the browserunderstands the <APPLET> tag but does not have Java capabilities.Netscape 2.0 allows turning the Java interpreter on or off via a checkbox under Options on the Security Preferences menu. The ALT parameter isa way to remind users to turn Java back on after turning it off to avoidwasting time on slow applets (as can often occur on Web pages).

Applets that coexist on a transaction-enabling Web page communicate bymeans of the NAME parameter. The AppletContext method getApplet (Stringname) returns a reference to the named Applet if it can be found in theWeb page and then allows communication between applets.

The PARAM tag is used in transferring text information to your appletcode using the getParameter(String param₋₋ name) applet method. Sincethe parameter-matching code is not case sensitive and quote marks areparsed out, the following tags are equivalent:

    <PARAM name=EMAIL

    <param NAME=EMAIL

    <param name="email"

Between the last <PARAM> tag and the </APPLET> tag, text and HTML codecan be designated for display if the Web browser of a particular clientsystem cannot recognize the <APPLET> tag. This is a good area for amessage which directs users to a "vanilla" version of thetransaction-enabling Web page.

The final element of the Applet tag must be </applet> in order to tellthe Web browser that the applet has ended.

For additional details pertaining to Applet construction and embeddingtechniques, reference can be made to "JAVA" (1997) by Ed Tittel and BillBrogden, published by IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., incorporated herein byreference.

As indicated at Block D in FIG. 7, the information files associated withthe transaction-enabling HTML document and each embedded Java-Applet(e.g., code in the classes directory associated with the HTML document'sURL, Java code files, class files used by the Applet, etc.) are thenloaded onto an HTTP server and stored within the file management systemthereof in a conventional manner. The location of thetransaction-enabling HTML-encoded document will be uniquely specifiableby a URL (e.g., http://www.mastercard.com/acctinfo/request.htm1). ThisURL will be used in the next step of the method of the presentinvention.

As indicated at Block E in FIG. 7, the URL of the Applet-embedded HTMLdocument (i.e., transaction-enabling Web page) is then encoded within asymbol structure such as a mag-stripe structure, 1-D bar code symbol, or2-D bar code symbol, as described in detail hereinabove. In analternative, less preferred embodiment of the present invention, the URLcan be printed on a transaction card for reading by an OCR deviceinterfaced with the Java-enabled browser of the InternetTransaction-Enabling Terminal (i.e., Client system). Once the URL isencoded within a symbol structure (i.e., mag-stripe or bar code), thelocation of the transaction-enabling Web document should not be movedwithin its designated HTTP server to ensure that thetransaction-enabling Web document will be automatically launched uponreading of the URL-encoded symbol.

As indicated at Block F in FIG. 7, the Internet-basedTransaction-Enabling System is now ready to deliver theinformation-related service associated with the Java-Applet embeddedwithin the Web document located at the URL encoded within the symbolstructure (applied to the transaction card or printed in a transactionguide or listing). To enable a desired transaction, all the consumer,customer or client has to do is to read the URL-encoded symbol on his orher transaction card using the symbol reader provided at aTransaction-Enabling Terminal of the present invention, as shown inFIGS. 1,2,3, 4 or 6. Depending on how the URL is encoded, this operationmay involve, for example, either swiping a URL-encoded magstripe, oroptically scanning a URL-encoded bar code symbol. In response to thisautomatic symbol reading operation, the Java-enabled browser at theTransaction-Enabling Terminal will automatically request thetransaction-enabling Web document specified by the decoded URL, andautomatically display the corresponding Web page. Preferably, agraphical icon representative of the embedded transaction-enablingJava-Applet will be conspicuously displayed on the display screen of theTransaction-Enabling Terminal, requesting that the customer initiatetransactional service by touching the touch-screen (or making akey-entry operation as the case may be). Making the selection willautomatically launch the Java-Applet and thus initiate the transactionassociated therewith.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the Appletauthors can embed the transaction-enabling Java-Applet within theHTML-encoded document so that the Java-Applet is self-executing (i.e.,automatically initiated upon the display of its transaction hosting Webdocument by the Java-enabled browser). This modification achievablethrough HTML-encoding and/or Java-Applet encoding, will operate toinitiate the transactional process represented by the embeddedJava-Applet, but would still allow the customer to conduct thetransaction at a pace and speed suitable to his or her personal desire.

As the Java-Applet is executing in the intended manner by its designer(i.e., author), the customer simply follows the information displayscreens choreographed thereby to conduct the information-relatedtransaction and receive the service associated therewith at a pace andspeed consistent with the customer's desire. During the transaction,audio information can be delivered to the customer, as well asgraphically displayed information.

At the end of the transaction, the Internet Transaction-EnablingTerminal of the present invention can produce a printed receipt for thecustomer as proof of service and the associated transaction. Optionally,telephone assistance can also be provided at the InternetTransaction-Enabling Terminal in the event that the customer needs tospeak with a human representative for additional assistance.

An advantage of the method of the present invention detailed above isthat any computer system (e.g., Web-enabled thin-client computer, orInternet-enabled kiosk, provides with a bar code or magnetic stripereader) can be automatically transformed into a Universal TransactionMachine (UTM). Consequently, the need to construct specializedtransaction machines can now be avoided in numerous applications.

Having described the illustrative embodiments of the present invention,several modifications readily come to mind.

In order to indicate that a particular printed publication or objectbears a URL-encoded bar code symbol according to the present invention,and not a conventional bar code symbol (e.g., UPC Symbol), it may beadvantageous to print the entire or primary portion of the encoded URL(e.g., http://www.metrologic.com) about the perimeters of theURL-encoded bar code symbol, in a similar way that UPC numbers areprinted below UPC-type bar code symbols. This printing convention, onceadopted, will help consumers determine which bar code symbols provide"Internet Transaction Access", in contrast with other types of bar codesymbols.

In instances where the character string length of the URLs (oftransaction-enabling HTML documents) becomes long, particularly inconnection with Web pages that are stored in very large Web-baseddatabase management systems (DBMS), it may be desirable to pre-encodethe URLs (to shorten their character string length) prior to encodingthe URL within the bar code symbology being employed.

In the illustrative embodiments of the present invention disclosure, thetransaction-enabling information resources have been indicated as beingHTML-encoded documents stored within Web Servers, and thus, thecharacter substring "http://www." has been included with the URL foreach such information resource in accordance with the syntacticalrequirements of URL specification and HTTP. It is understood, however,that in some applications of the present invention, it may be desirablethat URL-encoded symbols refer (i.e., point) to information resourcesstored on other types of Internet information servers accessible throughan Internet browser and which enables a person to carry out aninformation-related transaction in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention.

It is understood that the Internet-based Transaction-Enabling System andMethod of the illustrative embodiments may be modified in a variety ofways which will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art ofhaving the benefit of the novel teachings disclosed herein. All suchmodifications and variations of the illustrative embodiments thereofshall be deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the presentinvention as defined by the Claims to Invention appended hereto.

What is claimed:
 1. An Internet-based system for enablinginformation-related transactions over the Internet, comprising:an HTTPinformation server connected to the Internet, for storing anHTML-encoded document having a location on the Internet specified by apredetermined URL, said HTTP-encoded document embodying atransaction-enabling Applet which, when executed, enables a user toconduct an information-related transaction over the Internet; and atransaction-enabling Internet terminal for requesting said HTML-encodeddocument and executing said transaction-enabling Applet embeddedtherein, said transaction-enabling Internet terminal includinganInternet browser program for executing Applets, including saidtransaction-enabling Applet, embedded within said HTML-encoded document,a display screen for visually displaying said HTML-encoded documents, adata entry means for entering data into said Internet browser program,and a symbol reader, operably connected to said Internet browserprogram, for scanning a URL-encoded symbol encoded with saidpredetermined URL, decoding said scanned URL-encoded symbol, producingsymbol character data representative of said predetermined URL, andproviding said predetermined URL to said Internet browser program foraccessing said HTML-encoded document whose location is specified by saidpredetermined URL, wherein, when said URL-encoded symbol is scanned bysaid code symbol reader, said scanned URL-encoded symbol isautomatically decoded, symbol character data representative thereof isautomatically produced and provided to said Java-enabled browserprogram, whereupon said Internet browser program automatically accessessaid HTML-encoded document from said HTTP information server in order toexecute said transaction-enabling Applet embedded therein and therebyenable the user to conduct said information-related transaction over theInternet at said transaction-enabling Internet terminal.
 2. TheInternet-based system of claim 1, wherein said URL-encoded symbol aURL-encoded magstripe encoded with said predetermined URL, and saidsymbol reader is a magstripe reader for reading said URL-encodedmagstripe.
 3. The Internet-based system of claim 2, wherein saidURL-encoded magstripe is applied to a transaction card associated withsaid information-related transaction.
 4. The Internet-based system ofclaim 1, wherein said URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded bar codesymbol, and said symbol reader is a bar code symbol reader for readingsaid URL-encoded bar code symbol.
 5. The Internet-based system of claim4, wherein said bar code symbol reader is selected from the groupconsisting of: a laser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD-type barcode symbol, and a Wand-type bar code symbol reader.
 6. TheInternet-based system of claim 1, wherein said transaction-enablingInternet terminal comprises a hand-supportable data terminal with anintegrated bar code symbol reader.
 7. The Internet-based system of claim1, wherein said transaction-enabling Internet terminal comprises akiosk-type device having a bar code symbol reader for readingURL-encoded bar code symbols, or a magstripe reader for readingURL-encoded magstripes.
 8. The Internet-based system of claim 1, whereinsaid transaction-enabling Internet terminal comprises a body-wearablecomputer system.
 9. The Internet-based system of claim 1, wherein, whensaid URL-encoded symbol is scanned by said code symbol reader, saidscanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded, symbol characterdata representative thereof is automatically produced and provided tosaid Internet browser program,whereupon said Internet browser programautomatically accesses said HTML-encoded document from said HTTPinformation server and initiates execution of said transaction-enablingApplet embedded therein, thereby enabling the user to conduct saidinformation-related transaction over the Internet at saidtransaction-enabling Internet terminal.
 10. An Internet-based system forenabling information-related transactions over the Internet,comprising:an HTTP information server connected to the Internet, forstoring an HTML-encoded document having a location on the Internetspecified by a predetermined URL, said HTTP-encoded document embodying atransaction-enabling Java-Applet which, when executed, enables a user toconduct an information-related transaction over the Internet; and atransaction-enabling Internet terminal for requesting said HTML-encodeddocument and executing said transaction-enabling Java-Applet embeddedtherein, said transaction-enabling Internet terminal includingaJava-enabled browser program for executing Java-Applets, including saidtransaction-enabling Java-Applet, embedded within said HTML-encodeddocument, a display screen for visually displaying said HTML-encodeddocuments, a data entry means for entering data into said Java-enabledbrowser program, and a symbol reader, operably connected to saidJava-enabled browser program, for scanning a URL-encoded symbol encodedwith said predetermined URL, decoding said scanned URL-encoded symbol,producing symbol character data representative of said predeterminedURL, and providing said predetermined URL to said Java-enabled browserprogram for accessing said HTML-encoded document whose location isspecified by said predetermined URL, wherein, when said URL-encodedsymbol is scanned by said code symbol reader, said scanned URL-encodedsymbol is automatically decoded, symbol character data representativethereof is automatically produced and provided to said Java-enabledbrowser program, whereupon said Internet browser program automaticallyaccesses said HTML-encoded document from said HTTP information server inorder to execute said transaction-enabling Java-Applet embedded thereinand thereby enable the user to conduct said information-relatedtransaction over the Internet at said transaction-enabling Internetterminal.
 11. The Internet-based system of claim 10, wherein saidURL-encoded symbol a URL-encoded magstripe encoded with saidpredetermined URL, and said symbol reader is a magstripe reader forreading said URL-encoded magstripe.
 12. The Internet-based system ofclaim 11, wherein said URL-encoded magstripe is applied to a transactioncard associated with said information-related transaction.
 13. TheInternet-based system of claim 10, wherein said URL-encoded symbol is aURL-encoded bar code symbol, and said symbol reader is a bar code symbolreader for reading said URL-encoded bar code symbol.
 14. TheInternet-based system of claim 13, wherein said bar code symbol readeris selected from the group consisting of: a laser scanning bar codesymbol reader, a CCD-type bar code symbol, and a Wand-type bar codesymbol reader.
 15. The Internet-based system of claim 10, wherein saidtransaction-enabling Internet terminal comprises a hand-supportable dataterminal with an integrated bar code symbol reader.
 16. TheInternet-based system of claim 10, wherein said transaction-enablingInternet terminal comprises a kiosk-type device having a bar code symbolreader for reading URL-encoded bar code symbols, or a magstripe readerfor reading URL-encoded magstripes.
 17. The Internet-based system ofclaim 10, wherein said transaction-enabling Internet terminal comprisesa body-wearable computer system.
 18. The Internet-based system of claim10, wherein, when said URL-encoded symbol is scanned by said code symbolreader, said scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded, symbolcharacter data representative thereof is automatically produced andprovided to said Internet browser program,whereupon said Internetbrowser program automatically accesses said HTML-encoded document fromsaid HTTP information server and initiates execution of saidtransaction-enabling Java-Applet embedded therein, thereby enabling theuser to conduct said information-related transaction over the Internetat said transaction-enabling Internet terminal.
 19. A method of enablinginformation-related transactions over the Internet, comprising the stepsof:(a) storing in an HTTP information server connected to the Internet,an HTML-encoded document having a location on the Internet specified bya predetermined URL, said HTTP-encoded document embodying atransaction-enabling Applet which, when executed, enables a user toconduct an information-related transaction over the Internet; (b)providing a transaction-enabling Internet terminal for accessing saidHTML-encoded document from said HTTP information server and executingsaid transaction-enabling Applet embedded therein, saidtransaction-enabling Internet terminal includingan Internet browserprogram for executing Applets, including said transaction-enablingApplet, embedded within said HTML-encoded document, a display screen forvisually displaying said HTML-encoded documents, a data entry means forentering data into said Internet browser program, and a symbol reader,operably connected to said Internet browser program, for scanning aURL-encoded symbol encoded with said predetermined URL, decoding saidscanned URL-encoded symbol, producing symbol character datarepresentative of said predetermined URL, and providing saidpredetermined URL to said Internet browser program for accessing saidHTML-encoded document whose location is specified by said predeterminedURLl; (c) reading said URL-encoded symbol using said code symbol reader,whereupon symbol character data representative of said URL-encodedsymbol is automatically produced and provided to said Java-enabledbrowser program, and said Internet browser program automaticallyaccesses said HTML-encoded document from said HTTP information server inorder to execute said transaction-enabling Applet embedded therein andthereby enable the user to conduct said information-related transactionover the Internet at said transaction-enabling Internet terminal. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein said URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encodedmagstripe encoded with said predetermined URL and said code symbolreader is a magstripe reader, and step (c) comprises reading saidURL-encoded magstripe using said magstripe reader.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein said URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded bar codesymbol and said code symbol reader is a bar code symbol reader, and step(c) comprises reading said URL-encoded bar code symbol using said barcode symbol reader.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein step (c) furthercomprises reading said URL-encoded symbol, whereupon said Internetbrowser program automatically accesses said HTML-encoded document fromsaid HTTP information server and initiates execution of saidtransaction-enabling Applet embedded therein, thereby enabling the userto conduct said information-related transaction over the Internet atsaid transaction-enabling Internet terminal.